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Prophylactic vitamin K for vitamin K deficiency bleeding in neonates.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K deficiency can cause bleeding in an infant in the first weeks of life. This is known as Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDN). HDN is divided into three categories: early, classic and late HDN. Early HDN occurs within 24 hours post partum and falls outside the scope of this review. Classic HDN occurs on days one to seven; common bleeding sites are gastrointestinal, cutaneous, nasal and from a circumcision. Late HDN occurs from week 2-12; the most common bleeding sites are intracranial, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal. Vitamin K is commonly given prophylactically after birth for the prevention of HDN, but the preferred route is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence from randomized trials in order to determine the effectiveness of vitamin K prophylaxis in the prevention of classic and late HDN. Main questions are: Is one dose of vitamin K, given after birth, able to significantly reduce the incidence of classic and late HDN? Is there a significant difference between the oral route and the intramuscular route in preventing classic and late HDN? Are multiple oral doses of vitamin K, given after birth, able to significantly reduce the incidence of classic and late HDN? SEARCH STRATEGY: The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. SELECTION CRITERIA: All trials using random or quasi-random patient allocation, in which methods of vitamin K prophylaxis in infants were compared to each other, placebo or no treatment, were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted independently by each author and were analysed with the standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration and its Neonatal Review Group, using relative risk, risk difference and weighted mean difference. MAIN RESULTS: Two eligible randomized trials, each comparing a single dose of intramuscular vitamin K with placebo or nothing, assessed effect on clinical bleeding. One dose of vitamin K reduced clinical bleeding at 1-7 days, including bleeding after circumcision, and improved biochemical indices of coagulation status. Eleven additional eligible randomized trials compared either a single oral dose of vitamin K with placebo or nothing, a single oral with a single intramuscular dose of vitamin K, or three oral doses with a single intramuscular dose. None of these trials assessed clinical bleeding. Oral vitamin K improved biochemical indices of coagulation status at 1-7 days. There was no evidence of a difference between the oral and intramuscular route in effects on biochemical indices of coagulation status. A single oral compared with a single intramuscular dose resulted in lower plasma vitamin K levels at two weeks and one month, whereas a 3-dose oral schedule resulted in higher plasma vitamin K levels at two weeks and at two months than did a single intramuscular dose. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: A single dose (1.0 mg) of intramuscular vitamin K after birth is effective in the prevention of classic HDN. Either intramuscular or oral (1.0 mg) vitamin K prophylaxis improves biochemical indices of coagulation status at 1-7 days. Neither intramuscular nor oral vitamin K has been tested in randomized trials with respect to effect on late HDN. Oral vitamin K, either single or multiple dose, has not been tested in randomized trials for its effect on either classic or late HDN.

Humans↗

[Vitamin K deficiency bleeding in an infant despite adequate prophylaxis].

Vitamin K deficiency in infants can cause life-threatening haemorrhages. To prevent this, neonates in the Netherlands receive an oral dose of 1 mg vitamin K directly after birth. In addition, because breast milk contains little vitamin K, breast-fed infants receive a daily dose of 25 micrograms the first three months. Of three female infants aged 4 weeks, 5 months and 3 months, respectively, two developed an intracranial haemorrhage, which caused death in one. In two cases there were signs of a bleeding tendency, but no tests were done because the patients appeared healthy otherwise. The underlying resorptive disorders, cholestasis and fat malabsorption, caused few symptoms and were discovered only after a vitamin K deficiency bleeding had occurred. In an infant with a bleeding tendency, one should consider the possibility of vitamin K deficiency, even if adequate prophylaxis has been given.

Antifibrinolytic Agents↗

Prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding: efficacy of different multiple oral dose schedules of vitamin K.

UNLABELLED: There is consensus that late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) should be prevented by vitamin K prophylaxis. One single dose of 1 mg vitamin K1 is effective if given i.m. or s.c., but not if given orally. Repeated oral doses might be as effective as the parenteral dose but the optimal dose regimen remains to be established. Different oral dose schedules are presently used in different countries. In Australia, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland active surveillance data on late VKDB were collected in a similar manner and failure rates compared. Identical case definitions were used. There were three basic strategies for oral and one for parenteral vitamin K prophylaxis for healthy newborns in the four countries: (1) daily supplementation of low dose vitamin K (25 micrograms) for breast-fed infants (The Netherlands); (2) 3 x 1 mg orally [Australia (January 1993-March 1994) and Germany (December 1992-December 1994)]; (3) 1 mg vitamin K i.m. (Australia since March 1994); and (4) 2 x 2 mg vitamin K (new mixed micellar preparation) (Switzerland). The respective failure rates per 100,000 live births (including cases given all recommended doses and those given incomplete prophylaxis) were for strategy: (1) 0.2 (0-1.3) in The Netherlands; (2) 2.3 (95% CI 1.6-3.4) in Germany and 2.5 (1.1-4.8) in Australia (oral prophylaxis); (3) Australia (i.m. prophylaxis) 0 (0-0.9); and (4) 3.6 (0.7-10.6) in Switzerland. The failure rates for complete prophylaxis only were: strategy (1) 0 (0-0.7) in The Netherlands; (2) 1.8 (1.1-2.8) in Germany and 1.5 (0.5-3.6) in Australia; (3) Australia (i.m.) 0 (0-0.9); and (4) 1.2 (0-6.5) in Switzerland. CONCLUSIONS: The Australian data confirm that three oral doses of 1 mg vitamin K are less effective than i.m. vitamin K prophylaxis. A daily low oral dose of 25 micrograms vitamin K1 following an initial oral dose of 1 mg after birth for exclusively breast-fed infants may be as effective as parenteral vitamin K prophylaxis. The effectiveness of the "mixed-micellar" preparation of vitamin K1 needs further study.

Administration, Oral↗

Intracranial haemorrhage due to late onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding in Hanoi province, Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: In many developing countries vitamin K prophylaxis is not routinely administered at birth. There are insufficient data to assess the cost effectiveness of its implementation in such countries. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the burden of intracranial haemorrhage caused by late onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding in Hanoi, Vietnam. METHODS: Cases of intracranial haemorrhage in infants aged 1-13 weeks were identified in Hanoi province for 5 years (1995-1999), and evidence for vitamin K deficiency was sought. The data were compared with those on vitamin K deficiency bleeding in developed countries and used to obtain an approximation to the incidence of intracranial haemorrhage caused by vitamin K deficiency bleeding in Hanoi. RESULTS: The estimated incidence of late onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infants who received no prophylaxis was unexpectedly high (116 per 100,000 births) with 142 and 81 per 100,000 births in rural and urban areas respectively. Mortality was 9%. Of the surviving infants, 42% were neurologically abnormal at the time of hospital discharge. Identified associations were rural residence, male sex, and low birth weight. A significant reduction in the incidence was observed in urban Hanoi during 1998 and 1999, after vitamin K prophylaxis was introduced at one urban obstetric hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is a major public health problem in Hanoi. The results indicate that routine vitamin K prophylaxis would significantly reduce infant morbidity and mortality in Vietnam and, costing an estimated 87 US dollars (48 pounds, 72 Euro) per disability adjusted life year saved, is a highly cost effective intervention.

Age Distribution↗

Vitamin K prophylaxis and vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in early infancy.

The efficacy of vitamin K prophylaxis (1 mg im or sc, or 1-2 mg orally both given as a single dose at birth) in the prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding in early infancy was estimated in Germany during a 15-month period between 1988 and 1989. Cases were identified by a survey of all paediatric hospitals and population denominators by a survey of all obstetric hospitals. Response rates were 85% and 68%, respectively. Thirteen cases of vitamin K deficiency bleeding in early infancy with confirmed prophylactic states were confirmed, seven of whom had intracranial haemorrhage. The estimated efficacy of single parenteral administration of vitamin K versus no prophylaxis was 96.7% (95% confidence interval: 74-99.6%) and for single oral administration versus no prophylaxis 80.4% (9.1-95.6%). Single parenteral vitamin K prophylaxis gave substantial protection against vitamin K deficiency bleeding in early infancy. Single oral prophylaxis appeared to be less effective, although the difference was not significant, as indicated by the wide overlap of the respective 95% confidence intervals.

Administration, Oral↗

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding in Thailand: a 32-year history.

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding cases in Thailand from 1963 to 1995 were extensively studied. From 1963 to 1987 there were 499 reported cases from 10 papers including 102 cases of the authors' series. From March 1994 to April 1996, two subsequent nationwide surveys were conducted where questionnaires were sent to 714 and 732 hospitals located throughout Thailand. The responding rate was 58.2% and 67% respectively. 331 cases were found during 1988 to 1995. The total number was 830 cases of which 799 were idiopathic vitamin K deficiency in infancy (IVKDI) and 31 were secondary types. IVKDI was found exclusively breast-fed infants (92%) who did not receive vitamin K prophylaxis at birth (90%). Bleeding and pallor were the common features. The occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage was strikingly high (82%); the fatality rates was 24%. However, the fatality rate among patients receiving either 1 mg of vitamin K, intramuscularly, (17%) or 2 mg, orally, (18%) were lower than those not receiving vitamin K prophylaxis (36%). The incidence of IVKDI significantly declined to 4.2-7.8 per 100,000 births between 1988 to 1995 which was in reverse proportion to the coverage of vitamin K prophylaxis (r = -0.94, p < 0.05).

Administration, Oral↗

Late form of vitamin K deficiency bleeding in Germany.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of the disease of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). METHOD: 108 reported cases between 1980 and 1990 from Germany. RESULTS: VKDB occurs preferentially (90%) in fully breastfed infants, males are affected nearly twice as often as females. The peak age is four weeks; the majority (79%) of the infants are between three and seven weeks old. 58% of the patients suffer from intracranial bleeding, which results in a total mortality rate of 19% and in neurological damage in 21%. Generally the VKDB occurred suddenly as no warning signs were noticed or they were so insignificant as not to be heeded. In at least 37% of the patients cholestasis was detected. The Quick value was pathologically low in every case. Vitamin K dependent factors were low and PIVKA was detectable, whereas vitamin K independent hemostatic parameters were normal or even elevated. The combination of low Quick value and normal fibrinogen as well as platelet level is a good diagnostic indicator which can be confirmed by administration of vitamin K, after which the Quick value will rise within 30 minutes. Vitamin K prophylaxis reduces the incidence of VKDB from 5.13 per 100,000 births to a tenth of that; single dose oral prophylaxis reduces the risk by a factor of 3.3 and a single parenteral dose by 14.3. Parenteral prophylaxis is more effective in patients with hepatobiliary disorders. Patients who suffered VKDB despite having received vitamin K prophylaxis are older at onset (without prophylaxis 32 days, with oral prophylaxis 37 days, and with parenteral prophylaxis 63 days) and have less intracranial bleeding (35%) than patients who received none (62%). CONCLUSION: Late form of VKDB is a rare but serious disease which can be prevented by VK-prophylaxis.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding in newborns.

Newborn babies are born vitamin K deficient; however, the deficiency is not sufficiently severe to cause a vitamin K deficiency coagulopathy and haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN). Severe vitamin K deficiency can develop quickly in breast-fed newborns and can result in the appearance of classic HDN during the first week of life or late HDN during the first 2 months of life. Both forms of the disease can be severe, causing brain damage and death. Classic and late HDN are prevented by the intramuscular administration of vitamin K at birth. Oral prophylaxis prevents classic HDN but is ineffective in preventing late HDN. Despite proven effectiveness of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis there have been concerns about the need for, and safety of, this therapy. This review provides evidence that there is need for intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis for all babies in order to eradicate haemorrhagic disease of the newborn and concludes that there is no evidence that this therapy is harmful.

Administration, Oral↗

Intestinal absorption of mixed micellar phylloquinone (vitamin K1) is unreliable in infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia: implications for oral prophylaxis of vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of oral versus intravenous mixed micellar vitamin K prophylaxis in infants with cholestatic liver disease, a known risk factor for vitamin K deficiency bleeding. DESIGN: Prospective randomised controlled study. SETTING: Paediatric Liver Unit. PATIENTS: Forty four infants less than 6 months of age with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum concentrations of vitamin K(1) and undercarboxylated prothrombin (PIVKA-II; a sensitive functional indicator of vitamin K status) before and for up to four days after a single dose of mixed micellar K(1) 1 mg intravenously or 2 mg orally. Comparison of K(1) levels 24 hours after oral K(1) with those from 14 healthy newborns given the same dose. RESULTS: At admission, 18 infants (41%) had elevated levels of serum PIVKA-II and eight (18%) had low K(1) concentrations, indicative of subclinical vitamin K deficiency. Median serum K(1) concentrations were similar in the oral and intravenous groups at baseline (0.92 v 1.15 ng/ml), rising to 139 ng/ml six hours after intravenous K(1) but to only 1.4 ng/ml after oral administration. In the latter group, the low median value (0.95 ng/ml) and wide range (< 0.15-111 ng/ml) of serum K(1) compared unfavourably with the much higher levels (median 77, range 11-263 ng/ml) observed in healthy infants given the same oral dose, and suggested impaired and erratic intestinal absorption in cholestatic infants. The severity of malabsorption was such that only 4/24 (17%) achieved an incremental rise in serum K(1) > 10 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The intestinal absorption of mixed micellar K(1) is unreliable in infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Given the strong association between cholestasis and late vitamin K deficiency bleeding, these data provide an explanation for the failure of some oral vitamin K(1) prophylaxis regimens in infants with latent cholestasis.

Administration, Oral↗

Oral mixed micellar vitamin K for prevention of late vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of mixed micellar vitamin K improves the efficacy of the 3 x 2 mg oral vitamin K prophylaxis schedule. DESIGN: Nationwide active surveillance for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) complemented with two surveys on the use of the mixed micellar preparation in hospitals and by paediatricians. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Infants in Germany in 1997-2000. INTERVENTION: Prophylaxis with three oral doses of 2 mg mixed micellar vitamin K. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Confirmed VKDB between day 8 and week 12 and no condition requiring specific vitamin K supplementation known before the onset of bleeding. RESULTS: Twenty nine reports met the case definition: seven had not received any vitamin K prophylaxis; for three, vitamin K prophylaxis was unknown; two had insufficient vitamin K prophylaxis for their age; 17 had been given the recommended doses. The mixed micellar preparation had been given to seven, other preparations to nine, and one had been given both. These cases did not differ with respect to the site of bleeding and cholestasis detected at bleeding. Estimates of the use of the mixed micellar preparation in birth hospitals and by paediatricians yielded 1 817 769 newborns exposed to the mixed micellar preparation and 1 320 926 newborns exposed to other preparations. The rate of late VKDB was 0.44/100 000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19 to 0.87) in children given mixed micellar vitamin K compared with 0.76/100 000 (95% CI 0.36 to 1.39) in children given other preparations. CONCLUSION: Mixed micellar vitamin K did not significantly improve the efficacy of the 3 x 2 mg oral vitamin K prophylaxis schedule.

Administration, Oral↗

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infants and children.

The historical term "hemorrhagic disease of the newborn," which is used as a synonym for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in infancy, preferably should be abandoned, since neonatal bleeding is often not due to vitamin K (VK) deficiency and VKDB may occur after the neonatal period. VKDB is a form of bleeding that is caused by reduced activity of VK-dependent coagulation factors (II, VII, IX, X), has normal or even increased activity of VK-independent coagulation factors, and responds to VK. Acarboxy proteins are present. In a bleeding infant a prolonged one-stage prothrombin time (a decreased Quick value, which means prothrombin time expressed as percent of normal) in association with a normal (or increased) fibrinogen level and platelet count is almost diagnostic of VKDB. The diagnosis is proven, if administration of VK is followed by a shortening of the prothrombin time (after only 30 minutes) or cessation of bleeding. Classification is by age of onset as early, classic, and late form of VKDB. Rare cases of VKDB occur also after week 15; therefore the upper age limit should be 6 months and not 3 months. In idiopathic VKDB the cause (ther than breast-feeding) is unknown. In secondary VKDB additional factors can be demonstrated, such as poor intake or absorption of VK and increased consumption of VK. Most often cholestasis is present. Postnatal VK provides effective protection from the classic and late form of VKDB. The classic form can be prevented equally well by a single oral dose of 1 mg VK after birth as by parenteral VK. Parenteral prophylaxis appears to be more effective in preventing the late form, especially in patients with hepatobiliary disease. The protection achieved by single oral prophylaxis can be improved by repeated oral administration. In addition to reducing the incidence of VKDB, VK prophylaxis also reduced the proportion of intracranial hemorrhages and increases the age at onset of bleeding, parenteral prophylaxis being more effective than single oral prophylaxis in this respect. Because of the potential risks (cancer?) associated with extremely high levels of VK (20,000-fold the normal value for healthy newborns) and the possibility of injection injury, parenteral VK has been questioned as the first choice of prophylaxis for normal neonates. These disadvantages do not apply to oral prophylaxis. The major disadvantage of oral prophylaxis, namely, its lesser reliability in terms of intake and absorption, could be largely overcome by repeated administration. Although VK prophylaxis seems to be necessary only for breast-fed infants, breast-feeding should be promoted. As VK is involved not only in coagulation but also in carboxylation with multiple effects, care should be taken to avoid any excessive deviation from the physiologic conditions, that prevail in the fully breast-fed healthy mature infant, with low VK levels in the postnatal period. Repeated (daily or weekly) oral doses of VK are closer to physiologic conditions than single parenteral bolus doses, which expose neonates to excessively high VK levels. The incidence of intracranial VKDB can be reduced if the grave significance of warning signs is recognized (icterus, failure to thrive, feeding problems, minor, bleeding, diseases with cholestasis) or if a simple test for acarboxy proteins (similar to the Guthrie test) would be applicable. Whether or not the more reliable absorption of the new mixed micellar preparation of VK could reduce the protective oral dose of VK prophylaxis has to be evaluated.

Child↗

Early vitamin K deficiency bleeding after maternal phenobarbital intake: management of massive intracranial haemorrhage by minimal surgical intervention.

UNLABELLED: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding within the first 24 h of life is caused in most cases by maternal drug intake (e.g. coumarins, anticonvulsants, tuberculostatics) during pregnancy. Haemorrhage is often life-threatening and usually not prevented by vitamin K prophylaxis at birth. We report a case of severe intracranial bleeding at birth secondary to phenobarbital-induced vitamin K deficiency and traumatic delivery. Burr hole trepanations of the skull were performed and the subdural haematoma was evacuated. Despite the severe prognosis, the infant showed an unexpected good recovery. At the age of 3 years, neurological examinations were normal as was the EEG at the age of 9 months. CT showed close to normal intracranial structures. CONCLUSION: This case report stresses the importance of antenatal vitamin K prophylaxis and the consideration of a primary Caesarean section in maternal vitamin K deficiency states and demonstrates the successful management of massive subdural haemorrhage by a limited surgical approach.

Anticonvulsants↗

[An epidemiological study on vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infants under six months].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the incidence and relevant affecting factors of infant vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in Shandong Province. METHODS: With stratified cluster sampling, 28 156 live newborns from five districts and six counties were surveyed for the condition of bleeding from their birth to 6 months based on standard diagnostic criteria. A 1:2 matched case-control study of VKDB was performed. RESULTS: An overall incidence of VKDB was 3.27 per thousand in Shandong; higher in the rural areas (4.96 per thousand ) than in the urban areas (1.19 per thousand ). Most of the bleeding cases were breast-fed babies (about 95.57%) and incidence of VKDB in pre-term babies (22.52 per thousand ) was higher than that in term ones (2.96 per thousand ). Mothers' drug taking during pregnancy, asphyxia at birth, breast-feeding and illness within two weeks after birth were risk factors for it. Use of vitamin K after birth and bottle-feeding were protective factors for it. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of VKDB is higher in Shandong Province, as compared to other areas all over the country at the same time period. It is very important to prevent VKDB, focusing on high-risk babies in the rural areas, including those of preterm, breast-fed and suffering illness after birth.

Bottle Feeding↗

Prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding with oral mixed micellar phylloquinone: results of a 6-year surveillance in Switzerland.

UNLABELLED: In 1995, a new form of vitamin K prophylaxis with two oral doses of 2 mg mixed micellar phylloquinone (Konakion MM) on the 1st and 4th day of life was introduced in Switzerland. It was hoped that this new galenic preparation of phylloquinone would protect infants with insufficient or absent bile acid excretion from late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). Subsequently, the occurrence of VKDB was monitored prospectively between July 1, 1995 and June 30, 2001 with the help of the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit (SPSU). Over a period of 6 years (475,000 deliveries), there were no cases of early (<24 h of age), one case of classical (2-7 days of life), and 18 cases of late (1-12 weeks) VKDB fulfilling standard case definitions. In 13/18 patients with late VKDB there was pre-existing liver disease and in 4/18 patients, parents had refused prophylaxis. The incidence of late VKDB for infants with completed Konakion MM prophylaxis was 2.31/100,000 (95% CI: 1.16-4.14) and for the entire population 3.79/100,000 (95% CI: 2.24-5.98). There was only one case of late VKDB after complete prophylaxis in an infant without underlying liver disease. CONCLUSION: two oral doses of 2 mg of a mixed micellar vitamin K preparation failed to abolish VKDB. The recommendations for vitamin K prophylaxis in Switzerland have therefore been changed to include a third dose at 4 weeks of age. Starting on January 1, 2004, the incidence of vitamin K deficiency bleeding will again be monitored prospectively by the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit.

Administration, Oral↗

Can 3 oral 2 mg doses of vitamin K effectively prevent late vitamin K deficiency bleeding?

A 1 mg dose of vitamin K given intramuscularly at birth prevents almost all cases of late VKDB, whereas even two oral doses of 1 mg vitamin K given in the first week and a third given in week 5 to 6 are less effective. Is efficacy improved by increasing the dose to 3 x 2 mg? For active surveillance of VKDB, monthly postcards which include a nothing-to-report option, were sent to all heads of pediatric hospitals in Germany from January 1995 to December 1998. All reports were validated according to a standard case definition for late VKDB by means of a questionnaire. The incidence of VKDB with three oral doses of 2 mg vitamin K is compared to previously published rates for VKDB on 3 oral 1 mg oral doses, which had been ascertained with the same surveillance scheme. The number of cases of VKDB (excluding the failure-of-management cases) in children aged 8 days to 12 completed weeks during the 4 year period was 23. 14 had intracranial hemorrhage, 22 had been exclusively breastfed, and in 20 cholestasis was detected after the bleeding episode. 14/23 had been given all recommended 2 mg doses for vitamin K prophylaxis. Until 1996 all had been given the cremophor vitamin K preparation, whereas in 1997 to 1998 two children with late VKBD had received the new mixed micellar (MM) preparation, first licensed in July 1996. The incidence of VKBD per 100,000 live births during the 1995 to 1998 period was 0.72, including children given no vitamin K prophylaxis, and 0.44 for children who had received all age-related recommended vitamin K doses. These incidence rates are significantly lower than those previously published for the 3 x 1 mg dose regimen in Germany (1.8 cases of late VKDB per 100,000 live births in children who had received all recommended vitamin K doses). Not all cases of late VKDB, however, are prevented by the 3 x 2 mg dose regimen, even if the new mixed micellar preparation is given instead of the cremophor preparation.

Administration, Oral↗

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in infancy. ISTH Pediatric/Perinatal Subcommittee. International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

TERMINOLOGY: Replace the term "Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn" (HDN) by "Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding" (VKDB), as neonatal bleeding is often not due to VK-deficiency and VKDB may occur after the 4-week neonatal period. DEFINITION: VKDB is bleeding due to inadequate activity of VK-dependent coagulation factors (II, VII, IX, X), correctable by VK replacement. DIAGNOSIS: In a bleeding infant a prolonged PT together with a normal fibrinogen level and platelet count is almost diagnostic of VKDB; rapid correction of the PT and/or cessation of bleeding after VK administration are confirmative. WARNING SIGNS: The incidence of intracranial VKDB can be reduced by early recognition of the signs of predisposing conditions (prolonged jaundice, failure to thrive) and by prompt investigation of "warning bleeds". CLASSIFICATION: VKDB can be classified by age of onset into early (<24 h), classical (days 1-7) and late (>1 week <6 months), and by etiology into idiopathic and secondary. In secondary VKDB, in addition to breast feeding, other predisposing factors are apparent, such as poor intake or absorption of VK. VK-PROPHYLAXIS: BENEFITS: Oral and intramuscular VK (one dose of 1 mg) protect equally well against classical VKDB but intramuscular VK is more effective in preventing late VKDB. The efficacy of oral prophylaxis is increased with a triple rather than single dose and by using doses of 2 mg vitamin K rather than 1 mg. Protection from oral doses repeated daily or weekly may be as high as from i.m. VK. VK-PROPHYLAXIS: RISKS: VK is involved in carboxylation of both the coagulation proteins and a variety of other proteins. Because of potential risks associated with extremely high levels of VK and the possibility of injection injury, intramuscular VK has been questioned as the routine prophylaxis of choice. Protection against bleeding should be achievable with lower peak VK levels by using repeated (daily or weekly) small oral doses rather than by using one i.m. dose. BREAST FEEDING MOTHERS TAKING COUMARINS: Breast feeding should not be denied. Supervision by pediatrician is prudent. Weekly oral supplement of 1 mg VK to the infant and occasional monitoring of PT are advisable. CONCLUSION: VKDB as defined is a rare but serious bleeding disorder (high incidence of intracranial bleeding) which can be prevented by either one i.m. or multiple oral VK doses.

Humans↗

[Psychiatric and nervous disorders].

There has recently been increased occasions to treat patients complicated with psychiatric and nervous disorders, in accordance with the rise of interest in human right and the improved social acceptance of these diseases. In the past, most cases were reluctantly terminated because of the prejudice against diseases and anxiety about the teratogenicity of the drugs. In this paper, the management of pregnancy and delivery including neonatal period are discussed. 1) Epilepsy Epilepsy is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy with about 0.5%. Pregnancy has no obvious effect on epilepsy. Although the teratogenicity of the antiepileptic drugs has been repeatedly reported, anticonvulsant therapy should be continued during pregnancy. Because the risk of the fetal brain damage from hypoxia under the epileptic convulsion of the untreated patients is higher than that of the teratogenicity of drugs. Phenobarbital or phenytoin are commonly used. Trimethadione which has been used for the petit mal epilepsy should not be used because of the high potent of teratogenicity. The serum concentrations of these drugs tend to decrease in the third trimester. Therefore the frequent monitoring of the serum drug concentration is very important. The monitoring of the blood clotting factors after delivery is also very important to avoid the neonatal vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Vitamin K is administered if required. Breast feeding is not contraindicated. Withdrawal syndrome in the neonatal state should not be overlooked. 2) Schizophrenia Pregnancy has no effect on schizophrenia. The teratogenicity of chlorpromazine or haloperidol in human pregnancy is thought to be negative. The function of the fetal central nervous system is suppressed with antipsychotic drugs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anticonvulsants↗